Living on a Median Income Means
Worries for Oregon Family of Four

By

Robert Gavin Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Aug. 21, 2002 12:01 a.m. ET

PORTLAND, Ore. -- At the end of long day teaching emotionally disturbed children, Michael Creighton's hair, three months away from its last cut, had achieved what he calls the "mad scientist look." The unruly mane sticks up at the top, out from the sides and curls up at the collar, but Mr. Creighton remains resolute about avoiding the barber for at least two more weeks.